VASCO
South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar claimed that the Centre would be in a position to resolve the current mining crisis in the State after the Supreme Court adjudicates on a pending 1998 civil appeal pertaining to the title of mines and rights of mining leaseholders.
“The mining issue is something that is related to the Supreme Court and we have tried at different levels, including legal options, to resolve the issues and people are aware of the efforts taken by us,” Sawaikar told reporters while launching his election campaign in Vasco on Friday.
“The case of mine owners taken up in 1998 is still pending in the Supreme Court and it is only when that issue is resolved that we can go ahead with the present scenario.”
“The union government has even filed an application requesting to have early hearings in the pending matter and once that issue is cleared, the central government can form a larger mining policy.”
“I am sure that the hearing will come up soon, issues will be resolved and judgements delivered. On that basis, we will also be able to resolve the mining issue of Goa,” said Sawaikar.
It may be recalled that the Union Mines Ministry has petitioned the Supreme Court for an early hearing into a pending civil appeal pertaining to the title of mines and rights of mining leaseholders.
In an application, Gurmeet Singh Makker, advocate for the union mines ministry, referred to a civil petition of 1998 between the appellants, V S Dempo and Co. Ltd and others, and the Union of India and others, who are the respondents, which is pending before the Supreme Court.
